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The Scroll and the Lamb

Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look in it. I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

I saw a Lamb in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, standing as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
    and to open its seals;
for You were slain,
    and have redeemed us to God by Your blood
    out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 and have made us kings and priests unto our God;
    and we shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voices of many angels, numbering ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
    to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 Then I heard every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that are in them, saying:

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be blessing and honor and glory and power,
        forever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen.” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals.(A) I also saw a mighty angel(B) proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? ’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open[a] the scroll or even to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah,(C) the Root of David,(D) has conquered(E) so that he is able to open the scroll and[b] its seven seals.’

Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb(F) standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God(G) sent into all the earth. He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.

The Lamb Is Worthy

When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp(H) and golden bowls(I) filled with incense,(J) which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:(K)

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered,
and you purchased[c] people[d]
for God by your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.(L)
10 You made them a kingdom[e]
and priests to our God,(M)
and they will reign on the earth.

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, and thousands of thousands.(N) 12 They said with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honour and glory and blessing!

13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth,(O) on the sea, and everything in them say,(P)

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be to the one seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb, for ever and ever!

14 The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshipped.

Footnotes

  1. 5:4 Other mss add and read
  2. 5:5 Other mss add loose
  3. 5:9 Or redeemed
  4. 5:9 Other mss read us
  5. 5:10 Other mss read them kings